Monday, September 21, 2009

For the first time ever, the public is being asked to help vote for a National Book Award winner. The award is for the Best of the National Book Award, which will help celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the National Book Award. Entrants who provide an email address will have the chance to win 2 tickets to the National Book Award ceremony, as well as hotel accommodations.

The National Book Award began in 1950 in New York City's famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The award has typical been, as their website says, "an award given to writers for writers." There are currently 4 categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and Young People's Literature. Eligible books must be written by an American citizen and are nominated by either a publisher or a NBA panel chair. Finalists are announced in October and NBA winners are announced in November at the awards ceremony.